Loving Living in the Living Room

This very special client of mine is one that I've been working with since I first began designing 20 + years ago. She and her husband have consulted with me on many, many projects over the years and this particular project is one that I've been waiting for them to do for years. THE LIVING ROOM! That room in the house that no one ever, ever uses unless it's Christmas or they are having a Graduation party.

In this case, we had given the room a lick and promise more than once over the years-including the construction of the beautiful mantle and bookcases that you see in this before photo. (Mr. Client, in this case, is more than just handy. He happens to be a very talented woodworker, as well as painter, wall-paper hanger and as of this year, layer of hardwood floors). But despite the beautiful built-ins, it remained a seldom used room and the furniture, brought from a previous home, never really seemed to be just quite right.

At the beginning of 2009 this couple decided that it was time to turn a never used room into an active part of their home. How would we accomplish this? One word-TV. They made the decision to put a television in the room. That, and add beautiful new french doors going out to their gorgeous new pergula covered deck.

All of Mr. Client's sweat equity: hardwood floors, paint, new french doors, electrical work (including the lamps over the sectional), and new brown marble surround coupled with the beautiful new furnishings, art, and area rug (Can't forget the star of the show- FLATSCREEN TV) combine to make this a warm, serene, subtle and inviting space. After more than 20 years in the same home they've gotten a new addition without adding anymore space. Maybe it's time more of us start finding a use for that seldom used room in many of our homes.